Construction Lawyer • Bethesda

Construction Law Services

Joe Katz is a local Bethesda construction lawyer with over 15+ years of experience. Joe regularly defends the rights of contractors, suppliers, and owners throughout Maryland. The most successful construction stakeholders regularly utilize the legal counsel of a construction attorney throughout every phase of a construction project. Don’t risk letting your daily operations run rampant any longer. Contact Joe today to get a free 15-minute consultation.

Payment disputes are the most common forms of conflict in the construction industry. Construction lawsuits may pop up for a variety of different reasons. One thing is constant, though – contractors, suppliers, and owners suffer immediate repercussions as soon as a payment dispute occurs. These often include financial consequences, damaged reputations, and even lost clients.

If you are currently experiencing a payment dispute, it is vital that you understand your rights and legal options moving forward. Joe Katz, a seasoned Bethesda construction lawyer, has managed hundreds of payment disputes throughout Maryland. Please contact Joe today for a free consultation, in order to better understand how your unique legal situation may best be resolved.

There are many different causes for payment disputes. In some cases, these may be due to simple nonpayment. For example, a contractor may not receive the compensation promised to them in their contract.  Whatever the claimed reason is, it might actually be on account of something vastly different, like failure to receive payment from a third party responsible for the construction costs, or a situation of someone ‘robbing Peter to pay Paul.’. Additionally, back charges, change orders, and surety claims could be the root cause of your nonpayment. Regardless, you need a local and experienced construction lawyer to review your case and provide you with proper counsel. Without proper counsel, these types of disputes can easily lead to costly litigation – something to be avoided, if possible.

While payment disputes are the most common legal issues in construction, the construction contract is almost always the deciding factor of a case. The best way to mitigate your risks on a construction project is to have a rock-solid contract in place with favorable terms before the work even begins.

As a Bethesda construction lawyer, Joe Katz regularly negotiates, drafts, and reviews contracts for suppliers, owners, and contractors throughout Maryland. This way, Joe works on his client’s behalf to obtain favorable contract terms before the first shovel hits the ground. Even if you are already bound in a contract, however, you may benefit greatly from a professional legal review to better understand your rights. Change orders, releases or other contract amendments should also be reviewed by a construction lawyer to ensure important rights are not being passed up, or worse.  Schedule a free, 15-minute consultation today to speak with one of the most experienced construction lawyers in Bethesda, MD.

Mechanic’s Liens • Bethesda, MD

Mechanic’s liens are an effective, proven method of obtaining timely payments. For one, mechanic’s liens can be (and should be) utilized throughout a construction project – there is no need to wait until the end of the job to collect an overdue balance. Utilizing mechanic’s liens in this way send a strong message that you are a knowledgeable, experienced construction professional. It also has the added benefit of tentatively prodding the other party to pay your fees on time.

Mechanic’s Liens can be devastating if filed and fully litigated – possibly leading to foreclosures in some instances. This provides a powerful incentive for the other party to pay you, or risk facing some pretty disastrous consequences. However, the work of sending preliminary notices can be tricky and detail-oriented for those unfamiliar with the process. For this reason, consider utilizing an experienced Bethesda construction lawyer like Joe Katz to draft and facilitate the mechanic’s lien process for you.

“[Mechanic’s liens] provide an incentive for the other party to pay you, or risk facing some pretty disastrous consequences.

If you’re a contractor, supplier, or owner in Bethesda, MD, do not continue shouldering unnecessary legal risks and uncertainties. Joe Katz will work tirelessly to ensure your rights are protected, your risks are mitigated, and your payments are made in full. It is always best to be proactive in these cases, and hire legal counsel before you begin your next project. However, it is never too late to seek help! Contact Joe today – a Bethesda construction lawyer with over 15+ years of experience – for a free consultation.